Childminder in Wiltshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY311659 Inspection date 19/10/2009 Inspector Susan Esther Harvey

p.1

Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 08456 404040, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

p.1

Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

p.2

T: 08456 404040 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.2

Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.3

Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

p.3

Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B.

p.3

Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder has been registered since 2005. She lives with her partner and 13- year-old child in Calne, Wiltshire, close to various shops and parks. Most of the childminder's house is used for minding though mainly children use a designated play room. There is a downstairs toilet for children to use and a fully enclosed garden is available for outside play. The family keep two dogs as pets. The childminder sometimes works with her partner as an assistant.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding four children in the early years age group. The childminder is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register and offers care to four children over five to eight years of age. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and pre-schools and takes children to places of interest, such as the library, museums and on train journeys.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder knows the children in her care well, and is inclusive in her practice. She helps them to make sufficient progress in their learning and development. Partnerships with parents and the local school where children attend, are fairly good and significant in keeping the childminder informed of the children's welfare needs. There is a very good selection of toys and resources for children to choose from which has an impact on their learning through play. The childminder has a commitment for improving her practice through training.

p.4

further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

p.4

further?

 make sure that relevant documented information from parents in line with the welfare requirements is provided for all children (Safeguarding and welfare) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 23/10/2009

p.4

further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

p.4

further?

 further develop a two-way flow of information with parents by finding out what children learn at home and use this and observations to identify their next steps in learning  develop a system in order to evaluate the service provided taking into account the views of children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  further develop knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework in order to be able to identify where children are in their learning and use this to inform planning as part of each child's continuing development

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has a clear understanding of the need to ensure children are appropriately safeguarded by close supervision and updating of information through training events. However, the childminder does not have the relevant documents and information from parents on all children in order to fully safeguard each child's interests. Appropriate arrangements are in place to protect children from people who are not vetted. The childminder is focused on keeping children safe in the home, outside and on outings, using a robust risk assessment which is readily available to check at regular intervals. Policies and procedures are well documented, easy to read and most parents are made aware of the process the childminder will take in the event of a complaint. The childminder is committed to improving her knowledge by attending some training courses, such as child protection, as well as working towards an early years qualification. As a result,

p.5

the early years provision

children benefit from her positive attitude which helps with their learning.

p.5

the early years provision

There is a stable partnership between parents and the childminder, as she has cared for one child for a period of time and has built up a firm relationship. An example of this is, that parents are provided with a collection of policies and procedures and confirm they have read them. There is an opportunity for verbal feedback at the end of the day and a contact book between parents and the childminder is provided. This keeps each other informed of young children and babies' daily routine at home and in the care of the childminder. Even though the childminder has begun to evaluate the service she provides, this is not fully developed. For example, the information is not used to identify what is needed to further improve learning outcomes for children, nor are their views included in the evaluation. A two-way flow of information with parents is to be developed, so that children's learning at home and the learning they do with the childminder can be of

p.5

the early years provision

value when identifying the next steps in their learning.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has sufficient understanding of the early learning goals and highlights these in the detailed observations and assessment records for most of the children, but she has limited knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. The childminder uses outings as a means of increasing children's understanding of the community to which they belong. They visit the local library, walk to the park and travel by train to Bath. Children have access to a good range of toys and books which increases their knowledge of the diverse society in which they live. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are cared for in a clean, secure home, in which they can rest and play in a homely environment. They learn what constitutes a healthy lifestyle through daily fresh air and exercise, home cooked meals and fresh fruit for snack. Young children know when they want a drink and readily access their cup which is placed in a position where it can be reached easily. They learn good personal hygiene routines through the childminder's appropriate use of tissues.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Young children are secure in the care of the childminder who offers continuous praise. They make good progress in developing their personal qualities which enables them to take responsibility for small tasks and developing skills for the future. For example, they are very articulate, eagerly tidy away toys after use and independently choose the next toy to play with. They follow simple instructions where they will succeed, such as taking their own shoes off. Young children show an interest in looking at photographs of themselves and other children in their learning journal and remember the train journey taken with the childminder. As a result, the childminder has an impact on children's self-esteem through her constant praise and encouragement.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children remain safe and cared for in a stimulating environment. Regular emergency evacuation drills ensure that they are aware of how to evacuate the premises if needed. The childminder and her assistant's first aid certificate is up-to- date. Accident records are recorded appropriately with confirmation by parents that they have seen the written record and permission to seek emergency medical treatment is provided by most parents.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Young children enjoy being in the care of the childminder, they frequently call her name for support. They are confident and move around the room knowing exactly what they want to play with. Young children have the opportunity to access good quality toys and resources and through this, the childminder encourages them to be active learners. For example, the play dough activity chosen by them, enables young children to learn their colours, they practice manipulating and moulding dough into shapes, which helps with pre-writing skills. They sit quietly while the childminder reads a story and enjoy role play by mimicking adults making cups of tea. Visits to local toddler and childminding groups increases children's experiences through such topics as Chinese New Year and Diwali celebrations. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

p.7

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

p.7

Stage

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Records to be kept) 23/10/2009

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Records to be kept) 23/10/2009

p.8